That’s a stupid question, of course Jesus is inclusive! He’s just as embarrassed as we are by those believers who use his name to justify their superior and hateful attitudes, whether it’s about denying marriage licenses or closing the borders, right? Jesus hates that judgmental stuff!
But if we read this Gospel story (Mark 7:24-37), we’ll see that the answer isn’t so obvious after all. Here we find Jesus demonstrating a close-mindedness that would make any of those self-righteous followers proud. A Gentile woman asks for his help, but he offers insults. How can this possibly be Jesus?
Let’s look a little deeper. Our story takes place in foreign territory. Jesus has gone to Tyre, which is in Lebanon. Why he’s there, we don’t know, but we can say for certainty that he should not be surprised to encounter foreigners. Perhaps he has gone there to escape the spotlight of being the Messiah, and if so, he is greatly disappointed. Miracles stories have a way of traveling, and it probably isn’t all that surprising that his reputation has followed him here. Desperation has a way of grasping at straws, and desperation is what he’s facing. This woman who approaches Jesus has reached the end of her rope. Her daughter is ill, no real explanation or cure, and the presence of this Jewish miracle worker offers a new hope. What desperate mother wouldn’t abandon all social protocol and embrace this possibility? Who wouldn’t do the same?
But instead of the compassion we would expect, Jesus meets her request with hostility: “It is not right to throw the children’s food to the dogs.” The limits he has placed on his mission are clear. There are people who matter, and this Gentile mother and daughter are outside that circle. No doubt his followers approved. After all, they were part of the Jewish people, the ones chosen by God. It was about time that the Gentile world recognized the truth of that election, the truth of their superior law and religion–the truth of their superiority in general. God chose them over all others. It’s clear who God likes best, and they would expect any decent Messiah to demonstrate that truth. So much for #inclusive. This is a picture of #superiority.
But this Gentile isn’t done with Jesus yet. She meets him on his terms. She’s a dog? OK, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a claim on grace: “Even the dogs get the scraps that fall from the children’s table.” These words serve as a wake-up call to Jesus. Maybe even he has something to learn. Maybe even the Messiah needs to hear the Good News, and the Good News is this: God’s love is enough for all.
One God, one creation made out of love. One purpose, one community–the wholeness of salvation is revealed in this one awkward moment. Jesus’ call, indeed the call of all God’s people, is to show God’s glory, and this is what that glory looks like–the reconciliation of all. Divisions will end because one thing matters: God’s love as the foundation of all.
Now we are back on familiar ground. The Good News offers us an invitation of belonging based on grace, and it’s an invitation for all. We’re all the same; we’re all included in God’s love, we are all invited to the table–is that enough for a #inclusive picture? Let’s consider one more scripture picture. In the epistle today, James is criticizing how his church includes the poor. It’s not that there are no poor people in their church. Any Christian knows that Jesus says the poor will be with you, and 1st Century Christians were no exception. So of course, poor people are welcome– as long as they know their place. Sitting on the floor, out of sight, and certainly outside of the conversation–the poor are quite welcome to be in church. Such inclusion isn’t limited to the early church, nor to the poor. Consider our national conversation about race. No one (well, no one reading this blog) would be proud to be a racist. We don’t stereotype. Never! But why don’t those people act like us? What are they doing to get into trouble? Do we want to hear their stories, or are our explanations of their problems all we need?
There’s a difference between being inclusive and being tolerant.
James’ church tolerated the poor–keeping them out of sight and out of the conversation. We can tolerate blacks, gays, immigrants–really anyone–so long as they know their place. Inclusion demands we take another step, and here Jesus is our role model.
After Jesus’ encounter with this Gentile, he goes back to his old stomping grounds, but he doesn’t take the direct route. Instead he heads off into more Gentile territory, as if he wants to encounter more Gentiles. Now, among those foreigners he preaches and heals. He has a message that they are able to hear. Welcome, all God’s children, salvation is for all. In the end, Jesus dies for, and opens the gates to this wider Kingdom. Tolerance costs us nothing–in fact, we can be proud of our efforts. Inclusion requires more. To include others means that we will be changed by the experience–new opinions, new insights, maybe even new friends!
There’s a way to be inclusive, if we dare. All we need to do is look for what we have in common with those who are different. What we have in common is nothing superficial. We’re not looking for common experiences or even understandings. What we have in common is at the beginning. We are created in the image of God. No doubt some of us recognize that more than others, but to be in the image of God means we have something to offer to God’s Kingdom. What we each offer is different, based on experience, gifts, background and so much more. But we all bring something. There are no spectators in the Kingdom of God.
So what do you see in others? How can you invite them to share in the work of proclaiming God’s Kingdom? #inclusive is welcoming others to bring what they can to the table.
What do you have to offer? How can you claim your identity and mission as belonging to God? #inclusive means claiming your own place in the Kingdom.
#inclusive looks like Jesus, the one sent by God to show us all we need to know of God’s love, hearing God’s word from and unexpected source and changing his mind.
#inclusive looks like a table where all are welcome.
#inclusive–how do you do it?
One Response
Great that the Episcopal Church wants to be caring and welcoming to everyone. How about the way they treat people within their own organisation that happen to disagree with them – with $40 million in law-suits